Latin for Lawyers

SEMPER PRAESUMITUR PRO NEGANTE

SEMPER PRAESUMITUR PRO NEGANTE The presumption is always in favor of the negative, i.e., in favor of the defen dant who enters a general denial. SENATE, SENATOR [L. senex / an elderly man or woman; hence, a senator, a member of the Roman Senate] The upper chamber of the U.S. Congress and of most state legislatures. The U.S. Senate is composed of two senators from each state. A senator is a mem ber of a senate. U.S. senators are elected for six-year terms. SENILE DEMENTIA [L. senilis / pertaining to an old man + demens , demen tia / without control of ones mind, senseless, insane] Incapacity of the mind which occurs with old age and is progressive in char acter. The symptoms occur especially in persons with Alzheimer’s disease. SENILITY [L. senilis / relating to an old man] The deteriorated mental or physical state occurring in some persons who attain very old age. Signs of old age. SENIOR [L. senex , senior / old, aged, an old man] Higher in rank, order or importance. The first in a series. Longer in service; e.g., the senior member of the U.S. Senate. Older. The last year of study in a high school or college. Having a claim on assets or property which has prior ity over other claims. A senior lien is a lien which has priority over and must be paid or satisfied before other liens. A senior mortgage or first mortgage is a mortgage on real property having priority over all subsequent or secondary mortgages. See SECOND SENIORITY [L. senex, senior / old; an older or more elderly person] Recognition for one's age or length of service. The priority attained by an employee after continuous service over a longer period than other employees. Also, the priority of one lien or encumbrance over another. SENSUS VERBORUM EST ANIMA LEGIS The law finds its spirit in the meaning of words. SENTENCE [L. sententia / thought, opinion, meaning (from sentire / to see, perceive, feel)] An opinion or conclusion reached after deliberation. The judgment of a court in a criminal action after the close of evidence and announcement of the ver dict, specifying the punishment to be meted out to the defendant. The terms of punishment to be observed by a guilty defendant. A determinate sentence is a sentence for a fixed length of time. An indeterminate sentence is a sen-

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